Paws with a CausePaws with a Cause co-founder Candye Sapp, shown here with her husband, Mike, died Sunday after battling cancer.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Antoinette Joni “Candye” Sapp’s compassion for serving others helped transform Paws With A Cause from a volunteer effort for one family into a national organization.
The co-founder of the Wayland-based nonprofit that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities died Sunday after fighting cancer for many years, leaving behind her mark as a tough businesswoman with a big heart. She was 66.
She and her husband, Mike, founded Paws With A Cause, originally named Ears for the Deaf, in 1979 when a deaf couple asked Mike to train a dog to be their family’s “ears.”
Candye Sapp’s bookkeeping skills aided in the nonprofit’s growth, and her strong belief that all people be treated fairly kept the organization focused.
She acquired the nickname Candye in first grade when a teacher in the Traverse City school system told her she was sweet as candy. The name stuck.
Though she was sweet, she was also “tough as nails” when it came to business, said Deb Davis, the national marketing coordinator for Paws With A Cause.
Sapp was diagnosed with carcinoma of the throat in 1992. Throughout the radiation treatments, Sapp continued to work, even with a feeding tube. She carried out business as usual at the office because wanted to show clients that they can continue their lives with a disability. Sapp also was hearing impaired.
Although she was known throughout the office as a workaholic, Sapp cherished time with her family.
“Anything that ever trumped work was the grandbabies; she would drop everything and cuddle them,” Davis said. “She was very family oriented; her family was everything to her.”
Sapp is survived by her husband, Mike; her children, Richard Sapp, Michael Sapp Jr., Michaelle Naperola; and her sister, Margo Claycomb.
Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, also at Zaagman Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made to